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Impugn - 5 dictionary results

im⋅pugn

   [im-pyoon]
–verb (used with object)
1. to challenge as false (another's statements, motives, etc.); cast doubt upon.
2. Archaic. to assail (a person) by words or arguments; vilify.
3. Obsolete. to attack (a person) physically.
Origin:
1325–75; ME impugnen < MF impugner < L impugnāre to attack, equiv. to im- im- 1 + pugnāre to fight, deriv. of pugnus fist; see pugnacious
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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im·pugn     (ĭm-pyōōn')  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   im·pugned, im·pugn·ing, im·pugns
To attack as false or questionable; challenge in argument: impugn a political opponent's record.

[Middle English impugnen, from Old French impugner, from Latin impugnāre : in-, against; see in-2 + pugnāre, to fight; see peuk- in Indo-European roots.]
im·pugn'a·ble adj., im·pugn'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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impugn 
1362, from O.Fr. impugner, from L. impugnare "to assault, to attack," from in- "upon" + pugnare "to fight" (see pugnacious).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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impugn

verb
attack as false or wrong 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Impugn

Im*pugn"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impugned; p. pr. & vb. n. Impugning.] [OE. impugnen, F. impugner, fr. L. impugnare; in on, against + pugnare to flight. See Pugnacious.] To attack by words or arguments; to contradict; to assail; to call in question; to make insinuations against; to gainsay; to oppose.

The truth hereof I will net rashly pugn, or overboldly affirm. --Peacham.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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